Manganese Oxide Loaded Carbon Fiber for Solar Energy Harvesting and Oil Decomposition

Abstract

In this work, a manganese oxide electrode, containing carbon nanofiber composites (MnO2/CNF), has been made through electrospinning, oxidization, and partial carbonization high-temperature treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of the nanofiber and analyze the composition of the fiber. The fiber size range and element distribution were determined. The oxide nanoparticles were modeled as electrorheological suspensions in the polyacrylonitrile polymer solution during electrospinning. The dielectrophoretic behavior of the particles subjected to non-uniform electric fields were analyzed and the motion of the oxide particles under the actions from fluctuating electric fields was investigated to explain the sporadic distribution of nanoparticles within the composite nanofibers. A photoactive anode was made from the composite nanofiber and the decomposition of spilled oil was performed under sunlight illumination. It was observed that the manganese oxide containing carbon nanofiber composite electrode can generate electricity and clean the spilled oil under sunlight. Both energy conversion and environment cleaning concepts were demonstrated.